Posted by Ilse on October 11, 2001 at 18:57:30:
In Reply to: Over here ... posted by Rich on October 11, 2001 at 11:16:20:
: One month has passed. It seems an eternity.
: Over here, in the USA, we were traumatized. The resulting bonding & patriotism has been a good, and healing, thing. We now wage war ... and we will win ... I feel we'll win decisively. That too will be a good, and healing, thing. The words mean what they say.
: I am not naive enough to believe the rest of the world will all view it as such. I know different parts of the world will view things from different points of view. Understandable. I do believe most will, though, view it as a good thing. Certainly, I hope so.
: As I said the other day, today I am proud of who we are. Very proud.
: Stay cool, folks - all opinions are welcome, but be cool.
Rich,
You're my friend. I will try to explain my position as I see it. I will not address your remarks about America's trauma, because to me that is clear and undisputed. But....
The exchange you are referring to was never about opinions, was not about substance, nor was it meant to be. I made a quip at a post that was "stretching it a bit" as Adele so excellently put it. For the record, the person it was addressed to, responded in great style. Unlike somebody else, who found it necessary to jump me, accuse me of calling American patriotism into question and start to lecture and talk down to me like I am some ignorant 5-year old.
I invite you to read that thread again, and I ask you:
Do I call American patriotism into question? I don't.
Do I voice an opinion? I don't.
Have I voiced any opinions lately? No, because I am scared sh*tless of the kind of ruckus that it may cause on this board. Ironic than, isn't it, that when I DON'T voice an opinion at all, hell breaks loose. It should give you something to think about on the atmosphere on the board.
There seems to be a gentleman who had to bite his tongue last night. I can actually sympathize with that. I know it hurts. I joined this board (somewhat longer ago than this gentleman, and many of the current posters btw) way back in January 1998. Ever since then I have been biting my tongue most of the time. Being a minority (non-American) on the board I censored myself, I tiptoed around issues and was very critical of my own posts, rewriting them several times before posting so as to rule out hurting feelings. I didn't mind, you know, because in my, apparently low-life venom-spitting, corner of the world that I live in, we view respect as a two-way street. Unfortunately, the courtesy was very rarely returned. And not at all, since a certain group of people started to colonize the board. You know all this Rich, because I told you before, and I am sure you have lots of other things on your mind right now. And I don't blame you.
However now, I feel drained and it's come to this. I truely wish everybody the best. My first 2 years on this board and in this community were magic. But the magic is long gone.
I am crying tonight, because I have to shut down a part of my life that was very important to me. You can make fun of that if you want, Mr. Seamus. You're welcome to it.
Ilse